“You look a lot like my mother. In terms of the vibe you give off.”
Her gaze emanated a faint nostalgia and sadness that brought back memories.
I remembered what was stated in the original text that Freesia's mother also died seven years ago during a monster attack that occurred in the royal palace.
The banquet was attended by a small group of high-ranking nobles, and the Countess of Rubel was among the attendees and died in that tragic accident.
“Is that so? It is a great honor for me to resemble your noble lady’s mother.”
My response was just routine words, but Freesia did not take her eyes off me until the end.
She handed me the salt bowl, leaning too close to me.
Then she whispered in my ear in a low voice.
Her voice was soft and fragile like the flapping of a fairy's wings, as if it was about to fade away.
“You do not know how happy I am whenever I discover something of my mother’s features in you, Miss Erica.”
Sometimes, someone who has experienced great pain and grief becomes unexpectedly quiet.
It looked to me like a sand castle about to collapse, very fragile.
What can I say to the freesia who smiles like a wilting flower?
I didn't know how to console her for the grief of losing a loved one, so I quietly held her thin hand under the table.
Freesia's delicate violet eyes twitched as if she was surprised.
She looked at my hand in silence for a moment, then lowered her eyelids in apparent happiness.
“I would like to be close to you like my sister from now on, Miss Erica. Would you like to be my friend?”
“Hmm? It would definitely be an honor for me...”
I answered unconsciously.
What just happened?
I stared at her beautiful face, like a flower washed by the morning dew, mesmerized by its beauty.
Why does the heroine ask a secondary character like me to become her friend?
I felt confident that things would become complicated if she became friends with the hero first and then with the heroine as well.
At that moment, Carlex, who was eating in silence, put his knife on the table.
“Miss Rubel, let me tell you in advance, I am also in close friendship with the librarian Erica.”
I stared at Carlex, who basically lacked even the most basic social observation skills.
Why would he babble such unnecessary talk in such an important meeting?
Please, focus on the heroine only!
Carlex's explosive statement caused chaos and confusion around the quiet table.
The Crown Prince clapped as if he was truly surprised, and Freesia looked at me with admiration.
“Really amazing. I didn’t know you were friends with Duke Carlex. I look at you in a different way now.”
"Oh! You're the Duke's girlfriend? That's really great, Miss Erica."
Before I had a chance to respond, Carlex's elegant lips moved again.
Before he said something strange again, I took the initiative to contain the situation.
“Thanks to the precious relationship with Sir Michael, I am honored to become associated with the Duke.”
It sent chills down my spine when I heard Carlex's statement about friendship.
But crisis may be an opportunity.
A genius idea came to my mind.
I will use this situation to my advantage.
I stood up from my seat, raising my glass high.
“It is a very happy day today. I have always admired Miss Rubelle and wanted to be her companion, so thank you for making the request before me.”
I paused for a moment and smiled at Freria.
She also smiled with her eyes in response.
“Since Lady Frisia has become my friend, I guess the Duke is also your friend now, right? How about we celebrate their friendship here?”
The surprised Freesia looked warily at Carlex's facial expression.
Then her oval cheeks instantly reddened.
Ludving patted his chin with a satisfied smile.
Carlex was the only one who was just staring at me, his brow furrowed.
His blue eyes contained a wind of doubt.
His temper doesn't matter, let's ignore him.
The Crown Prince seemed to be in a good mood, raising his glass while laughing cheerfully.
“The Duke’s friend is also my friend. Let us chant the eternity of the friendship of the four today!”
The four glasses collided in the air, echoing a pure and delicate sound.
The Crown Prince was as happy as someone who had flowers placed on his head.
Freesia was looking at Carlex while she was shy.
Carlex was staring at me with a burning look.
And I was just staring at the luxurious chandelier on the ceiling.
Although I pretended to be cheerful and got into the mood, I intuitively knew that this date plan had failed.
Even in my real life, my relationships always failed. Is it because I moved into this world that I will become a skilled relationship coach?
My nose is longer than my arms!
After the friendship toast, the atmosphere of the luncheon became warm and friendly.
Knives and silver cutlery clashed with a pure sound, and wine glasses were exchanged without pause.
There were conversations and playful laughter from time to time.
I sipped my deeply fragrant wine and glanced at Carlex.
He still hadn't touched the wine.
It looked like he was drinking but the contents remained the same.
Was he abstaining from drinking because of his mission to guard the Crown Prince?
He noticed me staring at him, so he extended his glass to me with an elegant smile.
“Will you share a toast with me? Erica.”
“You said you don't drink during service.”
He looked at my completely empty glass, then poured me wine himself.
He held the bottle of wine delicately, as if his large, elegant fingers were embracing a woman's waist.
His movement of slowly and carefully pouring the red liquid into the cup was captivating.
Only when the sweet, rich scent of wine spread, did I awaken as from a dream and stand up.
“You must be careful not to get drunk and make a mistake during the service.”
"I'm fine. I've never been drunk."
Whether it was because of his voice reaching my ears, or because of his late state of intoxication, my cheeks burned red.
Dinner was over and dessert came.
When the sweet cakes, apple pie and chocolate were brought to the table, there was a different euphoria than before.
While Ludving was drinking tea, he looked at Freesia as if he suddenly remembered something.
“Miss Rubell, how is your father, Count Rubell, doing these days?”
“Yes. Thanks to the care of His Highness the Crown Prince, he is fine and living in peace.”
Freesia replied with an elegant smile.
In her violet eyes, a storm of bitterness, dull pain, and darkness swirled like a tornado inside a teacup, and then disappeared for a moment.
It was just a routine greeting, but there was a strange current in the air.
The expression on the Crown Prince's face, who had been leading the atmosphere with a cheerful expression throughout the dinner, hardened for the first time.
Carlex's hand holding the teacup also stopped for a moment.
It was such a brief moment that I thought I had missed my vision.
It was the Crown Prince who broke the heavy silence that had settled at the table.
"I hope you will also attend the Royal Palace's party at the Harvest Festival, Miss Rubel. If you attend the party, the place will be so cheerful that any flowers are sure to bow their heads at your beauty."
Ludving urged her to come with an expression full of expectation, but Friesia hesitated.
“I am honored that you invited me, but I am afraid that I will cause trouble because I am not skilled in social etiquette.”
“Duke Carlix is also not good at talking. My Persian likes to talk with enemies or monsters on the battlefield more. Of course, after the conversation, the opponent is already dead.”
“Don’t forget that my non-verbal personality has saved Your Highness’s life countless times.”
Carlex replied calmly as he drank his tea.
“That's why I have more respect for you.”
The Crown Prince raised the wine glass while laughing cheerfully.
After that, the dialogue flowed smoothly.
The matter developed to the point that Friesia would sometimes ask Carlex intelligent questions and he would answer them lightly.
The sight of the beautiful man and woman exchanging glances and talking was truly warm.
I was drinking tea, smiling motherly, when the Crown Prince approached me carrying a teapot.
“Librarian Erica, would you like another cup of red tea?”
“Ah, it is an honor, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince majestically tilted the teapot and poured me red tea.
He looked at Carlex and Freesia and whispered in my ear.
"They really are a lovely couple, don't you think? Our Duke should be married too by now."
Wow, the Crown Prince speaks the truth sometimes.
This is unexpected!
In the original story, Carlex fell in love with Freesia, overcame difficulties and adversity, and eventually married her.
Although the development is a little different from the original story, they have met and made up, so things should be going well now, right?
Through the mature atmosphere, it seemed like it was time for me to leave the place.
The problem is how am I going to get out with the unwanted guest, the Crown Prince.
Maybe I could lie and say that Director William wants to see me urgently.
I played with the teacup and glanced at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's gaze at Friesia was much calmer and colder than I had imagined.
Shouldn't his gaze be filled with jealousy, love, and hate, staring with evil eyes?
You cannot avoid the eyes of me, the familiar reader of the original, you future evil prince!
I stared at him as if I were a detective uncovering a criminal.
Of course Ludving noticed my looks and gave me a smile as sweet as whipped cream.
“Oh, Miss Librarian, have you also fallen under my spell?”
“I was absolutely staring at you.”
“But your looks were too hot for this? This is the first time I have received such provocative looks. Of course, I have received them many times from those who want to take my life.”
“I noticed carefully. My looks were similar to theirs.”
Ludving showed an expression as if he were surprised by my words, or as if he was moved to the point of shivering.
“You can't...do you even want my life...to own me so much?”
“Oh, no, not that...”
Shut your mouth please!
...I almost shouted these words, but I suppressed my anger with extraordinary willpower.
I can't be executed for blasphemy before the two heroes even fall in love, right?
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is time to get up now. It is time to return to the palace.”
I heard a cold, cold voice behind me.
Sir Duke, why are you in such a bad mood again?
You were talking to Freesia with warmth and friendliness a while ago.
“Duke Carlex, why the rush? We haven’t even finished our desserts yet.”
“I've been outside the palace for a long time and there's also the matter of guarding, so let's go back.”
“Oh, sorry but it looks like we have to end it here today.”
Ludving showed a truly remorseful expression, then turned to Friesia.
“Thank you for inviting us to a wonderful meal today, Miss Rubell.”
“It was a great pleasure for me to be in the company of His Highness the Crown Prince as well.”
The Crown Prince exchanged cordial greetings with Freesia, then left the restaurant first with Carlex.
I too approached Freesia and bowed in greeting.
“Miss Rubell, thank you for inviting me to dinner. It was a very nice meeting.”
She smiled at me with an affectionate smile.
“I'm the one who's pleased to have you, Librarian. Let's see each other more often from now on.”
***
When we left the restaurant, the Crown Prince's carriage was waiting for us.
Ludving stuck his head out of the carriage window and motioned to me.
“Librarian Erica, get in our cart and we will take you to the library.”
"Mmm? I appreciate your concern, but I'm going to walk."
I politely declined while waving my hands dismissively inside.
Then Freesia intervened.
“Miss Erica, I will give you a lift in my car.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince proposed an obvious solution.
“So what if our carriage escorts the two ladies’ carriage to the library?”
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation